Prep boys golf: Branson's Delgado, Redwood claim titles

While the first and second-place individual finishers flip-flopped from a year ago, the Redwood High boys made sure there wouldn't be a similar occurrence on the team side of things at the MCAL championship golf tournament on Monday.

Branson's Miguel Delgado fired a 3-under 69 at Indian Valley to hold off Novato's Robert Briggs and Redwood's Jon Shaw, who were the only other golfers to shoot under par with 71s. Last year at San Geronimo, it was Shaw enjoying medalist honors with an even-par 72 while Delgado finished three shots back as runner-up.

But again Shaw didn't walk away empty-handed. The senior, who will play golf next year for Division III Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, helped his Giants claim their fourth consecutive MCAL championship. Shaw, Chris Laub (75) and his younger brother Nick (79) led the way on Monday. Matt Cinelli shot 84 and Yoshio Boris had an 88 for Redwood.

"It's unbelievable," Redwood coach Ben Kline said of his senior trio of Shaw, Chris Laub and Alex Gotz (83) being a part of four MCAL championships in as many years. "They've just been great role models of the younger kids and they just go out and play and never give up. I am going to miss them next year."

Redwood, which edged Branson a year ago by two shots to garner the title, had a little more of a cushion on Monday. The Giants shot 392 as team to edge Marin Catholic by 11 strokes. Branson (414) came in third, Justin-Siena (439) was fourth followed by Novato (440) and Drake (450) filling out the final two spots.

With the victory, Redwood again earns an automatic berth to the North Coast Section D-I Tournament of Champions tournament on May 12 at Peacock Gap. The other teams can apply for at-large berths to next week's D-I qualifier and D-II championship tournaments depending on which division they are in.

Delgado, who has verbally committed to play golf at Notre Dame when he graduates next year, dropped in a 20-foot putt on 18 to seal the victory.

He was happy with the 3-under result, but knows he needs to play better if he wants to make another deep run into the postseason — he was runner-up at state last season.

"I knew it wasn't a day I could shoot 64, which I've done before," Delgado said. "Some of the guys were taking aggressive lines with their drivers on the short par 4s. I am hitting irons there because I knew I am not playing my best.

"I am just going to make pars. Let them make the mistakes."

Shaw, who posted a 31 on the front nine at Indian Valley during a recent match with San Marin, couldn't muster that same hot start this time around. He had bogeys on holes 1, 4, 5 and 7, but was able to offset that with birdies on 3 and 9 to go to the 10th at 2 over. He shot a 3-under 33 on the back nine to finish in red figures, but knew he left a few strokes out on the course.

"If I didn't do stupid stuff, it would've been a lot better," Shaw said.

Briggs, a sophomore who is now 2-for-2 in qualifying for the North Coast Section tournament, had it going early. He eagled the par-5 first hole and was 3 under through seven holes. His lead evaporated with bogeys on the next two holes and was able to stay at 1 under for the round despite hitting his drive out of bounds on No. 12.

"Anytime you shoot under par, you have to be happy," Briggs said. "(To win MCALs) I thought I needed to shoot 2 or 3 under with the way Delgado is playing lately. He's the guy to beat right now."

Other top finishers on Monday were MC's Peter Noerr (73) and Dave Biasotti (79), Drake's Devin Gregg (77) and Tam's Ethan Young (80).